Which NFL Teams Are Capable Of Second Half Run?
By Erik Lambert
Oct 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lions defeated the Saints 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
A number of notable NFL teams are sitting in a tough spot approaching the schedule halfway point. Which ones could make a surprise late run?
Seattle Seahawks (3-3)
Percy Harvin discussions aside, the Seattle Seahawks are the defending champions. So there is no questioning the talent on their roster. They still have one of the best defenses in the league and a Pro Bowl backfield in Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch. It’s merely a question of getting back to what they do best. Pete Carroll is a smart coach. He’ll figure it out and make the adjustments. Everything will ride on how they fair against the division in the second half.
Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
Their win over San Diego was huge, and proved the Kansas City Chiefs are good enough to beat any team they play provided they do it their way. That means tough running, strong defense and smart passing. No team in the NFL does it better and Andy Reid seems to be perfecting the formula a little more each week. If they could just get a little more explosion from the passing game it could mean all the difference down the stretch.
New Orleans Saints (2-4)
Despite having such a dismal looking record, the New Orleans Saints have some things going for them. They still have Drew Brees and Sean Payton, which means a lot. Also, they sit in what is shaping up as a rather mediocre division with Atlanta and Carolina both losing last week too. What they need is to get something, anything more out of their defense that was supposed to be one of the best in the league this year. Two or three points fewer allowed per game and the Saints have enough firepower to make some magic happen.
Chicago Bears (3-4)
They really are a puzzling team. One week they look hopeless and the next they look unstoppable. The Chicago Bears certainly aren’t lacking talent. Offensively they feature the best receiving tandem in the league and on defense they boast a pretty strong pass rush. Yet, for whatever reason things aren’t clicking. Based on recent reports of locker room arguments, they are quite aware of it too. Either that will prove to crumble the rest of the season, or serve as the catalyst for a run they are very capable of making.